Slow Start Foils Scots at Home Against Denison

WOOSTER, Ohio – Despite a competitive final three periods, a 17-point first-period shortfall hindered Wooster's strong play in the game's latter stages as visiting Denison University took down The College of Wooster women's basketball team 72-49 on Saturday afternoon at Timken Gymnasium.

Down 24-7 after the opening 10 minutes, Wooster (2-7, 0-4 North Coast Athletic Conference) held Denison to a plus-six point spread through the game's remainder, with the Fighting Scots outpacing the Big Red (5-6, 1-3 NCAC) 16-15 in the third period.

In a game of distributive scoring for the Scots, Denison left the production to a core group, led by Addie Buzas' 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting, including 6-for-8 from three-point range.

For Wooster, first-year Maria Janasko recorded her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, highlighted by five offensive boards.

Notably, 14 different Scots recorded at least one point and all but two tallied a field goal.

After a Janasko jumper brought the Scots within one just minutes into the game, Denison's Brittany Atkinson spurred an 11-0 run with seven straight points before junior Anna Gibbs slipped a pass down low for Janasko, who converted from the low post to cut the deficit to 10 midway through the first.

Nearly a minute and a half of scoreless basketball ensued before Buzas tallied eight points during a 10-3 closing run for Denison.

In the first, the Big Red held Wooster to 2-for-14 shooting while going 10-19, including 4-for-9 from deep.

Denison extended their advantage behind an 8-2 run nearly three minutes into second. Sophomore Kylie Orr showcased her range shortly after entering the game, connecting from deep for Wooster's first three-pointer of the game to bring it back to a 20-point deficit with seven minutes remaining.

A mini 5-0 run swung the momentum in the Scots' favor, as they found themselves down 17 with 2:33 left in the half. However, the Big Red responded with a 5-0 run of their own to close the half leading 43-21.

An 11-2 third-period run, capped off by a transition layup from Janasko, brought Denison's advantage back down to 15, as Wooster held the Big Red to just 22 percent from the floor. The Scots' ball movement showed a noticeable improvement, with five of Wooster's seven field goals having an assist attributed.

However, the Big Red's fast start proved too much of a cushion come the fourth period as Wooster would not break the 19-point barrier for the remainder of the game.

On the day, 30 of Wooster's 49 points came in the paint while Denison outscored the Scots 17-5 on second-chance baskets, aided by 20 offensive rebounds. Each team tallied 16 turnovers and four blocks, and the Scots totaled 10 steals compared to Denison's nine.

In addition to Buzas' 23 points, Atkinson finished with 16 while Lauren Longbrake nearly tallied a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench. For Denison, seven players scored, and only four had four or more field goals.

Three Scots snagged two steals each and Gibbs led Wooster with three assists.

The Scots embark on their third game of a four-game homestand against Musking University (3-4, 2-2 Ohio Athletic Conference) on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. at Timken Gymnasium.